Rhode Island Tire Chain Laws

How Rhode Island handles chains

Rhode Island has no chain law for trucks. Chains of reasonable proportions are permitted whenever snow or ice makes the road slick (R.I. Gen. Laws 31-23-20), but nothing is required. No sign turns a chain order on, because the state posts none. The Governor can still ban trucks from all state roads in a major storm. Studded tires are legal November 15 through April 1. Your duty is to drive to conditions and slow or stop when traction fails. Watch the I-95 grades. Check RIDOT and governor.ri.gov before a storm run.

When, where, and what counts

• When required: Chains stay optional. Rhode Island runs no chain-up order and no posted-pass sign system. Chains are legal whenever snow, ice, or other conditions tend to make a vehicle skid (R.I. Gen. Laws 31-23-20). Studded tires are legal November 15 through April 1. In a major storm the Governor can instead ban trucks from all state roads, not only interstates. A proclamation banned tractor-trailers, tankers, box trucks, RVs, tandems, and vehicles with trailers from noon January 25, 2026, until further notice. Executive Order 26-02 restricted commercial vehicle travel on all roads statewide from 5 p.m. February 22, 2026, until noon February 24. Emergency supply runs were exempt both times.
• Where: No mandate anywhere. For voluntary traction, the I-95 grades and the higher ground in the northwest on US 44 and RI 102 are where it matters. Nothing on the road requires chains.
• Applies to: No commercial vehicle is bound. Chains of reasonable proportions are permitted on any vehicle for safety, with no weight threshold and no posted class trigger.
• Chains vs traction devices: Link chains and cable chains of reasonable proportions are permitted for safety (R.I. Gen. Laws 31-23-20). Studded tires work November 15 to April 1. AutoSock and textile devices are not addressed. Nothing is required, so snow tires alone are lawful.
• Check the live order: RIDOT road and travel conditions at dot.ri.gov for live winter status before a storm run. The Governor posts storm travel bans at governor.ri.gov/executive-orders.
• Fine: None for skipping chains, since they are optional. Chains used when snow, ice, or skid conditions do not call for them, or studs outside November 15 to April 1, count as prohibited tire protuberances, and the fine is $100 (R.I. Gen. Laws 31-23-20, 31-41.1-4). Breaking a Governor's storm travel ban issued under Title 30, Chapter 15, such as Executive Order 26-02, carries a fine of up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both (R.I. Gen. Laws 30-15-21).

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